Monthly Archives: June 2010

Ford to bet on “Dub” Mustang

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Posted in Ford

Ford is in the process of launching the 2011 edition of its classic Mustang model, and early reports indicate that its advertising will be aimed at introducing a younger generation to the historic model.

According to USA Today, the television ads will center around the “Dub” edition. Dub is an auto magazine featuring tricked-out versions of various cars. Ford invited the magazine’s editors to work their magic on the new Mustang.

The result is a Mustang with sleek black paint, off-black racing stripes and 22-inch Pirelli tires in the front with 24-inchers in the back.

Its no slouch under the hood either, with a 5-liter V8 engine and 412 horsepower, according to Edmunds.

It already has one fan: rapper Nelly, who got an early edition of the automobile.

In the meantime, those looking at used Fords should consider keeping their eyes peeled for lightly used 2010 Mustangs. As Ford pushes the 2010 Mustang out of showrooms, many will find their way onto the used car market, where they can be snagged for a fraction of the price.

What to look for in a used car

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Posted in How To

The used car market is a great place to find a vehicle without suffering sticker shock from dealer-inflated prices. However, the market can be tricky, and there are a number of things that drivers should look out for while shopping for a used vehicle.

The internet is a great place to start your search, according to CBS News. Sites like AutoTrader allows users to easily compare a range of models, as well as get dealer quotes and see what others are paying in their area. This allows the consumer to have a lot of information at their disposal when deciding on their car.

Craiglist and eBay are also good sites for driver-to-driver sales. However, scams are frequent on these sites, especially over distance. Drivers should restrict their search to their area so they can see the cars for themselves.

With used cars, it’s always important to make sure the car is in working condition. Drivers should get the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and use it to get a full history of the vehicle. It is also beneficial to take the car to an independent mechanic before you buy. It might cost a few bucks, but it can save drivers lots of headaches in the long run.

Another thing that drivers should look for is “certified” status. Certified vehicles come in two forms: dealer-certified and factory-certified. Dealer-certified means that the dealer has inspected the vehicle and ensured it is in working order. Essentially, these are small warranties, usually lasting about 90 days, that will fix any problem that the car immediately has. This is the dealer’s way of reassuring the owner that the car is up to snuff. If a car is not dealer-certified, its an immediate red flag that something is wrong.

Many brands also have factory-certified or pre-owned programs. In this case, the car is sent back to the manufacturer for inspection. Should the manufacturer decide that the car is close to its original factory configuration and in working order, it will add the car to its program. The programs vary from brand to brand, but most provide some form of warranty protection, some continuing the car’s original warranty, according to the news source. If consumers can find a factory-certified vehicle, it can be a great buy.

When buying directly from a driver, shoppers don’t have the luxury of certified cars. Instead, they should look at things like the condition of the exterior or interior to ensure that the car has been well maintained. It is also critical to have these cars independently inspected.

One thing to watch out for are flood-damaged vehicles. Manufacturers don’t cover water damage, so none of these cars will be factory-certified. In many cases, flooding can cause unseen complications. Dealers might be offering these vehicles as a steal, but they are extremely risky and prone to having one or more parts not working, according to the news source.

The most important thing to remember is to not get locked in to any one vehicle. There are a host of options out there, many dealerships, and even alternative ways to buy, like auctions. Take the time to research to decide what is most important, and don’t compromise. If a seller won’t budge on a certain aspect, walk away. There are many cars out there and with a little patience, drivers can find the perfect car for their needs and budget.

Nissan surpasses Leaf sales expectations in Japan

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Nissan

The auto industry is eagerly anticipating the debut of the first electric vehicles in the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt. The future of electric cars may hinge on the reception of them by the public. One important statistic is the number of early adopters who commit to the product.

If Nissan’s sales in Japan are any indication, electric vehicles have a long and bright future. Nissan, the third-largest Japanese automaker behind Honda and Toyota, recently released the preliminary sales figures on the new Leaf model.

According to the report, Nissan has already received 6,000 preorders, which was its target for total sales of the vehicles in the first year. The company began taking pre-orders on April 1, but the car isn’t due to hit showrooms until December.

Last month, Nissan revealed that the U.S. and Japan had combined to order 13,000 units, suggesting that the car will be popular in the U.S. as well.

Until electric vehicles are widely adopted, those who want to go green when they drive should consider looking at hybrids like the Toyota Prius on the used car market.

Searching for efficiency with the midsize crossover

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Posted in Chevrolet, Ford, Honda - DO NOT USE, Nissan, Toyota

SUVs are a handy way to transport cars full of kids or luggage quickly and easily. For those who don’t need off-roading capabilities, a midsize crossover is the perfect fit.

When purchasing an SUV, one important consideration is fuel economy. SUVs have a reputation for being gas guzzlers, but new technology and the smaller size of crossovers has improved efficiency, according to Edmunds.

In this class, the Ford Edge and Honda Crosstour lead the way with 18 city/27 highway miles per gallon. City drivers may consider the Toyota Venza, which trades one mpg on the highway (26) for one in the city (19). The Nissan Murano gets 18 in the city with 23 on the highway, while the Chevy Equinox posts 17/25, although they are a bit roomier than the others. All of the cars feature 6-cylinder engines.

Car buyers should balance their desire for efficiency with their need for space and features. The Ford Edge has a slight, well, edge, over the competition, as it has just undergone a complete redesign for 2011, according to the Detroit Free Press.

With the new Ford Edges being introduced, drivers can search the used car market for any 2010 Edges that dealers were unable to sell. They can also find deals on all the cars mentioned above.

Deals on used Nissans can be found after company’s quick turnaround

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Posted in Nissan

Those looking to buy a used Nissan should be able to find great deals, as the company is planning to introduce three new models into their lineup. When a new model is introduced, the remaining older models are often sold to used car dealers at a steep discount, allowing those savings to be passed on to the consumer.

After posting a loss last year, the company is on track for a turnaround, according to BusinessWeek. Nissan’s SUVs have been quite successful, and the company hopes to add to that with a redesigned Murano and Titan later this year.

The company has also experienced strong sales figures for the highly-anticipated electric Nissan Leaf, according to early reports.

As a reward for the company’s new growth, Nissan announced plans to pay twelve of its top executives some hefty bonuses. In fact, the executives’ salaries will be four times those of Toyota and three times those of Honda, its chief Japanese rivals.

When a company redesigns a vehicle, its possible to find the lightly-used older models at used car lots on the cheap.

GM and Ford locked in high-tech battle

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

The two largest American car companies, GM and Ford, are both attempting to one-up each other when it comes to the digital features now included in their cars.

GM announced last month that it will partner with Google to offer the company’s Android operating system on its OnStar system. The company plans to debut the feature on the Chevy Volt. Using smartphone apps, drivers will be able to locate their vehicle and get directions on-the-fly.

Ford has also partnered with the technology giant for its Sync feature. Google Maps will soon display a “send to Sync” button that will allow users to send maps and directions directly to their car.

“Printing paper directions from a website is a relic in our digital age,” said Doug VanDagens, head of Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization.

Ford’s Sync, debuted in 2007, has a leg up on GM, having already been installed on 2 million Fords, Mercurys, and Lincolns. Some of these cars have already entered the used car market.

Although these features are convenient, they can also add to the price of a vehicle. Smart shoppers can easily find late-model used Fords by heading to dealers and auto auctions.

Big Three post big gains in May

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Chrysler - DO NOT USE, Ford, Nissan, Toyota

As a further sign that the economy is beginning to recover, Detroit’s Big Three automakers: GM, Chrysler, and Ford, all posted big gains in the month of May over the same time last year. With consumer confidence returning and Americans making car purchases that they may have held off on in the wake of the economic downturn, consumers should remember that they can purchase many of these cars for considerably less at used car dealerships or auctions.

Ford gained the most, with a 20 percent increase over previous years’ totals. Ford is in good shape, as the only one of the Big Three not to accept federal bailout money and thus not have to pay it off, according to the Washington Post

GM sales increased 16.6 percent, and Chrysler sold 100,000 vehicles for only the second time in two years.

Among Japanese automakers, Nissan jumped 24.1 percent while Toyota sales slowed amid recall problems.

Although the industry itself may still be recovering, the country is not yet out of the woods. Consumers who need to save money can look at these brands’ ample offerings on the used car market.

Mustang and Camaro battle it out

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Posted in Chevrolet, Ford

Ford and GM have recently engaged in a war of words over the sales figures of two of their models, the Mustang and Chevy Camaro.

The current iterations of these classic cars are close competitors, and sales between the two have been close. The companies proved they weren’t above a little mudslinging in marketing these new vehicles.

Press were invited to test drive the new 2011 Mustang, but not before Ford brought out a brand-new Camaro in order to point out all the ways the Mustang improved over Camaro’s design. When the May sales figures were released, Ford appeared to have gained the upper hand by outselling Chevy 10,225 to 8,931.

Some analysts were quick to point out, however, that Ford was offering steep discounts on 2010 Mustangs in order to make way for the new models. And Chevy released a press release detailing that it had outsold the Mustang by nearly 7,777 units over the first five months.

Those who like a little muscle in their car would do well to check out the used car market. As the two giant automakers trade blows, savvy consumers can find great deals on used Ford Mustangs and Camaros.

Teen buys used car with bad check

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Posted in General Auto News

A Honolulu teen was arrested this weekend for using a bad check to buy a used car from an unsuspecting seller.

A 34-year-old Kalihili man put his used vehicle up for sale on Craigslist and was contacted by an 18-year-old buyer. The buyer conned the seller by paying with a check, which bounced when the seller tried to cash it, according to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin

Police found the car when the teen pulled into a harbor without his lights on at 1:30 AM. A suspicious officer ran the plate and found that the car had been reported stolen. The alleged con artist was placed under arrest and is currently in custody.

Some drivers trying to find deals on vehicles go to websites like Craigslist in search of driver-to-driver sales. Often, these can result in either party being scammed. Consumers have little protection in these situations. Had the teen left town with the vehicle, the seller would have had no recourse.

Its safest to shop at used car dealerships or auto auctions, where deals can still be found in a regulated and controlled environment.

Ford looks to digital future

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Posted in Ford, General Auto News

Ford CEO Alan Mulally recently took to the stage at the AllThingsDigital conference in Southern California to explain Ford’s upcoming high-tech packages that the automaker plans to roll out on a number of models.

The company has already introduced Sync as an optional feature on many of its models. The digital entertainment console allows users to integrate their phone or other USB-device, like an iPod, and control the devices with voice-recognition software. Mulally believes that integrating technology is the future of the auto industry, according to CNET.

Mulally also spoke about bringing third-party-developed applications to Ford’s in-car console, much like a smartphone. For example, rather than listen to the radio, users could launch their own custom Pandora station right from the car.

The CEO cautioned that the company didn’t want drivers to become distracted on the road, which is why Ford is making sure the applications can be voice-controlled and don’t require constant attention.

Drivers who want to try Sync without paying the dealer-inflated prices would do well to look at recent late-model Ford vehicles on the used car market.